Phillip Island These School Holidays

Phillip Island These School Holidays

Go Kart action on the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, wildlife encounters and sky high adventures combine to make Phillip Island, Victoria's ultimate family holiday playground these September school holidays. The new state of the art SODI Go-Karts and race simulator at the world famous Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit will get little hearts racing, while  those looking for a sky-high adventure will love the three storey high intricate rope course, Phillip Island Sky Trail or taking in the spectacular views on a scenic helicopter flight. Families can blow away the winter cobwebs on board the brand new Wild Oceans EcoBoat Tour for a high speed adventure out to Australia's largest fur seal colony at Seal Rocks or cuddle up with the local wildlife at Maru Koala Park.

Here is just a taste of some of the many highlights waiting to be discovered on Phillip Island these school holidays:

Go Karts on the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit

Phillip Island is home to the popular annual Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) event, held in October each year. Families can now experience the excitement of being a professional rider in a race simulator or even race against their friends around the super fast scale replica Go Kart track in one of the new fleet of French made Sodi RT8 solo and tandem go karts. The go kart sessions cost $35 (10 minutes), $60 (20 minutes) and $80 (30 minutes). A minimum age of 12 years applies to single karts and five years (accompanied by an adult) for tandem karts. W: www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au  

Phillip Island Helicopters

Another great way to take in Phillip Island is from the air! Phillip Island Helicopters operate a number of scenic flights and heli-adventures around the area. There are seven flights to choose from, all with unprecedented views of Phillip Island's spectacular scenery. Highlights include the Phillip Island Penguin Parade, Cowes and some stunning surf beaches. Flights can also be tailored to suit visitor's needs. W: www.phillipislandhelicopters.com.au

Phillip Island Sky Trail

Visitors can experience the excitement and adventure of scaling high above the Island with the opening of Phillip Island's Sky Trail. Standing at three stories high, the intricate rope course and adrenalin pumping challenges are the first of its kind in Victoria making it a must-see and do experience for thrill-seekers. W: www.phillipislandskytrail.com.au 

Wild Oceans EcoBoat Adventure

Thrill seeking nature lovers can jump on a Wild Oceans EcoBoat Adventure Tour with Phillip Island Nature Parks which weaves its way beyond the island's shores on a high speed tour of the rugged coastline. Adventurers can expect encounters with the local Australian fur seal colony at Seal Rocks along with spectacular views of the Summerland Peninsula's cliffs and the explosive blowhole at The Nobbies. From June through to September nature lovers also have the added possibility of a breathtaking close encounter with migrating humpback whales. The Wild Oceans EcoBoat Adventure Tours run for 60 and 90 minutes and prices start at $85 per adult. W: www.penguins.org.au       

Bush Tucker Tour at Rhyll Trout & Bush Tucker Farm

Rhyll Trout & Bush Tucker Farm, nestled amongst the Island's tranquil Australian bush land, offer a guided bush tucker tour, allowing visitors to explore the environment and discover the wonderful native produce and history of the region. A friendly and informative guide leads visitors along the -Bush Tucker Trail' discovering literally thousands of indigenous food plants, learning about their history and modern uses. Tours are customized depending on the size of the group allowing families to see, smell, touch and taste different bush tucker on each visit. The tours run everyday throughout the holidays and cost $12 for adults and $10 for children. W: www.rhylltroutandbushtucker.com.au

Maru Koala and Animal Park

The Maru Koala and Animal Park is an award-winning, family run attraction that has been operating at Grantville near Phillip Island since 1983. Here, visitors can -get in touch with wildlife' by patting a koala, hand feeding albino kangaroos, talking with parrots, meeting a golden possum, and getting wrapped in a three meter python snake. Maru also has an 18-hole 'pirate inspired" mini-golf course, information centre and café.

W: www.marukoalapark.com.au

Churchill Island Heritage Farm

Families can take a step back in time these school holidays at Churchill Island Heritage Farm, the first farmed site in Victoria. Today, children can take part in the daily traditional farming activities from cow milking, to sheep shearing and whip cracking.
W: www.penguins.org.au

Islantis Surf Experience

The first of its kind on Phillip Island, The Islantis Surf Experience is an exhibition showcasing a significant collection of surf boards and surfing memorabilia dating back to the 1920s. The Surf Experience is a fun and interactive way for visitors to discover the history and evolution of Australia's surfing culture. The exhibition features a surfing -shrine' with an audio visual overview of the birth of surfing in Australia, a -Wave Room' featuring  a  360 degree, wrap around cinerama showcasing Woolamai Beach, Phillip Island's premier surf break and projecting a specially commissioned surf movie. The exhibition also features a -Sandman Room' paying homage to the classic surfing vehicle and an impressive collection of surfboards from the 1920s to today alongside signed rashies from current champions including Kelly Slater and Stephanie Gilmour.
W: http://theislantissurfexperience.com.au/  

Phillip Island Penguin Parade

After taking in the coastal views, visitors should not miss a visit to the Little Penguins that have made the Island world famous. The Phillip Island Penguin Parade now offers an Ultimate Penguin Tour which provides a private ranger guide to lead small groups out onto a secluded beach complete with personal headsets for commentary and high tech night vision scopes to spy on the Little Penguins as the waddle home for the night. On this tour, visitors are privy to the magical experience of walking back to the parade through the heart of the penguin colony. W: www.penguins.org.au